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Scalia’s Supreme Court Seat Has Been Vacant For More Than 400 Days

The Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia has been unfilled for more than 400 days, the longest opening on the court since the 1860s. This is largely because President Barack Obama’s nominee, Merrick B. Garland, was blocked by Senate Republicans, who argued that a justice should not be seated during an election year.

Since 1900, however, the Senate voted on eightSupreme Court nominees during an election year. Six were confirmed. On average, a nominee has been confirmed, rejected or withdrawn within 25 days.

As Senate hearings begin for President Trump’s nominee, Judge Neil M. Gorsuch, here is a timeline of Supreme Court vacancies.

Nomination confirmed

by Senate vote

Rejected by Senate or

nomination withdrawn

SEAT

Vacancy

Nomination

Decision

Note: Chart shows only terms in which a president nominated a justice. Nominations that were announced but never officially submitted to the Senate are omitted.The date of each nomination is the date of the president’s letter to the Senate. Some nominees may have served before this date under recess appointments.Nominees who appear twice were first nominated to the court and later nominated to become chief justice. *The nomination of John G. Roberts Jr. was withdrawn and resubmitted after the death of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist.